20-mW green laser

Coherent Inc. has added a laser for high-volume OEM applications to its Compass 115M series solid-state 532-nm lasers. The Compass 115M-20 provides 20 mW of CW output power, while employing the same package as the 5-, 10- and 15-mW models in the series. It delivers the same performance characteristics in terms of stability, mode quality (M2 <1.2), noise (<0.5% rms) and a lifetime of >20,000 h. Designed for system builders who serve the analytical chemistry, medical scanning and bioinstrumentation markets, the device includes features that simplify integration, among them conductive cooling, an autostart function and external cooling through an analog or digital interface.

Coherent was founded in May of 1966. As it was for most companies starting out in the mid-60’s, the company’s start was modest. With limited financial resources, Coherent established its headquarters in the Palo Alto, CA home of one of...